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Competitor Group and San Diego Padres announce partnership

San Diego, CA – January 11, 2013 – Competitor Group (CGI) and the San Diego Padres today announced a multi-year partnership to bring the 16th annual Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society downtown to finish at Petco Park.

“We are excited to partner with Competitor Group and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon,” said Padres President & CEO Tom Garfinkel. “Having San Diego’s marquee running event finish at Petco Park, one of downtown’s iconic attractions, supports our commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Petco Park becomes the fifth finish line in the history of the original Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, returning to the event’s downtown roots where the road race finished its inaugural year in 1998. The marathon finished at the Naval Training Center the following two years, before moving next door to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot from 2001 to 2009. When barracks expansion at the base necessitated a new finish line, the event moved to SeaWorld where the road race has finished since 2010.

“We feel this is a tremendous opportunity to provide a much more accessible event experience for our runners,” said Scott Dickey, President & CEO of CGI. “With more than 65% of all event participants traveling from outside the region, and a majority staying in downtown hotels, this new finish line venue at Petco Park combined with our Health & Fitness Expo at the Convention Center will conveniently showcase America’s Finest City. We appreciate the support from the City of San Diego in redesigning the course and helping to re-establish our signature event as one of the premier marathons in the United States.”

The finish line festival and post-race concert will take place inside Petco Park, putting runners, their families and spectators within steps of the world famous Gaslamp Quarter and conveniently located downtown hotels. Runners will be able to take the trolley to and from the finish line, likely eliminating the need for the bus transportation that was required at the finish line in the past.

Famous for its live bands, themed water stations and cheerleaders providing entertainment along each mile of the route, the 2013 race will also feature the return of the popular 2-person half-marathon relay. The shorter distances have opened up the event to runners and walkers of all abilities who want to take part in the fun while raising money for charity. Over the 16-year history of the race, runners participating with Team In Training have raised more than $170 million in San Diego to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) blood cancer research and patient services.

“The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego has been one of Team In Training’s signature events since 1998 and we are delighted to hear the route will now finish downtown at Petco Park,” said Jennifer Grandy, National Director of Team In Training for LLS. “Approximately every 4 minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Whether you’re running your first marathon or the half-marathon relay with a friend, this race offers a distance anyone can achieve and be part of an event that has done so much to support the LLS mission.”

Team In Training offers runners and walkers professional training, support, travel and accommodations for the event in exchange for fundraising efforts, which will help make a difference in the lives of more than 1,012,533 Americans living with blood cancers. Training programs are getting started across the country, with informational meetings taking place throughout the month. For more information, visit teamintraining.org.

Full descriptions of the new Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon courses, including turn-by-turn directions and course maps, will be announced at a later date. To take advantage of the lowest entry price by registering online, please visit RunRocknRoll.com before January 31, 2013.

About Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon

Organized by Competitor Group, the 16th annual Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will run through San Diego on Sunday, June 2, 2013. The race is known for lining the course live bands and cheerleaders interspersed with themed water stations along each mile of the route. The original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 1998 is still recognized as the largest inaugural marathon in U.S. history with 19,979 entrants, a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the San Diego Convention Center kicks off race weekend, featuring more than eighty fitness retailers, exhibits, free samples and interactive clinics. The event concludes Sunday afternoon with a finish line celebration and headliner concert at Petco Park.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada.